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Description

Unlock a new realm of expressive possibilities with the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass. This instrument is crafted for bassists who crave the smooth, gliding tones that only a fretless design can deliver. Designed with precision and care, the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass offers an unparalleled playing experience, making it a must-have for both professional players and serious enthusiasts.

At the heart of this bass is its fretless fingerboard, which allows for a seamless transition between notes, giving you the freedom to explore microtones and create unique soundscapes. The fingerboard is complemented by a comfortable neck profile that facilitates effortless playing across the entire scale. Ibanez’s attention to detail is evident in the high-quality pickups that capture every nuance of your performance, ensuring that your sound is both rich and articulate.

What sets the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass apart is its ability to blend into any musical setting, from jazz and fusion to rock and experimental genres. The tonewood construction ensures a balanced sound with warmth and clarity, while the ergonomic design provides comfort for extended sessions. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, this bass delivers the dynamic response needed to enhance your musical creativity.

Key Features:

  • Fretless fingerboard for smooth gliding transitions
  • High-quality pickups for rich and articulate sound
  • Comfortable neck profile for effortless playing
  • Versatile tonewood construction for balanced sound
  • Ergonomic design for extended playing comfort

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model MC940-DS Musician Bass Fretless
Finish Dark Stain
Year 1980 - 1984
Made In Japan
Categories 4-String Basses, Fretless Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp Active Preamp
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Color Family Brown, Natural
Finish Style Satin
Fretboard Material Ebony
Frets Fretless
Model Family Ibanez Musician
Neck Material Maple, Walnut
Number of Strings 4-String
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 34"

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass?

The Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass is known for its warm and rich tone, thanks to its passive pickups and active preamp. The ebony fretboard contributes to a smooth, singing sustain, making it ideal for jazz and fusion styles.

Is the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass suitable for beginners?

While the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass offers excellent tonal quality, its fretless design may present a learning curve for beginners. It's better suited for players with some experience who are looking to explore the unique expressive capabilities of a fretless instrument.

What is the neck profile like on the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass?

The Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass features a neck made of maple and walnut, providing a comfortable and smooth playing experience. The neck profile is designed to facilitate easy access across the fretboard, suitable for both fast playing and expressive slides.

How does the active preamp affect the sound of the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass?

The active preamp in the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass allows for enhanced tonal shaping and dynamic range. It provides more control over your sound, enabling you to boost or cut frequencies to suit various musical styles and performance settings.

What type of music is the Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass best suited for?

The Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass excels in genres that benefit from its smooth, expressive sound, such as jazz, fusion, and progressive rock. Its fretless design allows for nuanced slides and vibrato, making it ideal for intricate and melodic bass lines.

Bas Huygen

Bas Huygen

Review Ibanez Musician fretless Bass

Video thumbnail for Review Ibanez Musician fretless Bass by Bas Huygen

Review Ibanez Musician fretless Bass

Bas Huygen

Bas Huygen

Video thumbnail for 1982 Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass MC940 by Richard Howes

1982 Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass MC940

Richard Howes

Richard Howes

Video thumbnail for Ibanez Musician MC 940 fretless Bass 1981 by Yellow Bird

Ibanez Musician MC 940 fretless Bass 1981

Yellow Bird

Yellow Bird

Video thumbnail for 1983 Ibanez Fretless Musician Bass Part 1 🎸 by Rexylab

1983 Ibanez Fretless Musician Bass Part 1 🎸

Rexylab

Rexylab

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass.

User experience

  • Many players find the fretless bass more expressive and intuitive, especially those transitioning from classical string instruments like cello or double bass.

    Source
  • Some users report that frets feel obstructive and prefer the uninterrupted, smooth fingerboard of a fretless for a more natural play experience.

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  • A player reported that switching from a lined to an unlined fretless improved their intonation due to relying more on ear than sight.

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Use cases and applications

  • Fretless basses are favored in diverse genres from metal to jazz, used for their unique tone and ability to stand out in mixes.

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  • Fretless basses are popular in technical death metal bands for their distinct sound, as seen in Beyond Creation and Obscura.

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  • Some players find fretless basses excel in adding subtle vibrato and glissando, enhancing expressiveness in genres like jazz and folk.

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Mods and upgrades

  • A user mentioned defretting a bass to achieve the desired fretless sound, inspired by Jaco Pastorius.

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  • A few owners upgraded with LaBella black tapewounds for a brighter tone, while others preferred TI Jazz Flats for their overall feel and sound.

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Other

  • The Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass is noted for being heavy, likened humorously to weighing "1984 pounds," yet still preferred for home practice.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Some users recommend using drone tones for intonation practice, which helps in adjusting quickly during band settings when others are out of tune.

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Value and pricing

  • Many recommend starting with a budget model like a Squier or Harley Benton to test affinity for fretless, minimizing financial risk if it doesn't suit.

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Build quality

  • An owner praised their Squier VM fretless for its surprising lightness and sound quality, often attributed to its Quarter Pounder pickups.

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Artist usage

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See how Colin Moulding uses Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass

Colin Moulding

Bassist

XTC

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Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video, Colin can be seen playing his Ibanez Musician. He used this bass on a number of XTC tracks during the 80s.

See how Martin Kemp uses Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass

Martin Kemp

Bassist

Spandau Ballet

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Verified via Photo

In a photo from the Parade album, Martin Kemp is shown using an Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass.

See how Tommy Scott uses Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass

Tommy Scott

Singer, Guitarist

Space

...
Verified via MusicRadar

Tommy Scott used an Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass while recording "Female of the Species," as mentioned in an interview with MusicRadar by Joel McIver.

Album Usage

The Ibanez Musician Fretless Bass has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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